Over the years, torque converters have come in many shapes and sizes. From the huge, bolt-together cast iron powerglide converters (anyone beside me remember those?) to the small Dodge 845RE multidisc converter found behind the 3.7L Pentastar motor.
The new Ford 10-speed that comes in the 2017-up F-150s and Mustangs has a converter that falls just above small and well below large. This style ...

For many years, the front pump in all automatic transmissions has been in the front behind the front seal, which the engine drives via the torque converter. But why call it the front pump and not just the pump?
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That’s because, back in the ’50s, many transmissions had pumps in the back of the transmission, driven by the output shaft. That put the “rear” in rea...

In the December 2016 issue of GEARS Magazine, we learned about the three different types of valves used in all automatic transmissions: regulator valves, switch valves, and servo valves. We also discussed switch valves that can be pulsed on and off by the computer to regulate pressure.
Now, armed with that knowledge, let’s check out a late-model 845RE schematic (figure 1). Wait a second! This...

The procedure for disassembling the 845RE is relatively simple, if you’re familiar with the tricks and special tools necessary. Covers the tools you’ll need and the best procedures for pulling this unit apart without damaging the components.

The A5HF1 has been on the road for some time now and there really isn’t a lot of tech info available for it. This unit appears in 2006–up Hyundai and 2006–up Kia models (figure 1). The transmission may look familiar because it closely resembles the F5A51 found in Mitsubishi vehicles.
In this edition of Fun with Transmissions, we’ll check out the A5HF1 and what features make it unique. W...

One of the more popular Ford transmissions these days is the Torshift. It's a solid, dependable unit that's been around for a while, making it one that you're likely to see in your shop.
As dependable as it is, there are a couple problems that have become fairly common on the Torqshift:
Delayed engagements
Bindups
In this article, we'll look at these two conditions. In each case, t...

The 845RE started life as a ZF8HP45, designed by ZF in Germany. Chrysler bought the license for the design and began building the 845RE at its Kokomo, Indiana plant.
First appearing in 2013, the 845RE is standard equipment in the Grand Cherokee, Charger/ Challenger, Ram1500, and Durango. All of these models use the 3.6L Pentastar engine (figure 1).
The 845RE uses just five clutch packs, two ...

This past October, ATRA was in Las Vegas for the 2016 Powertrain Expo. This year, ATRA presented a series of seminars titled Transmissions 101. The Saturday series started with R&R 101 then to Diagnostics 101 and finished with Transmissions 101.
This series was aimed at entry level technicians who are new to the industry. What surprised all of us was how many industry veterans attended ...

The 6F35N is standard equipment for a ton of small engine Ford products and they are starting to hit shops across the country. We have identified a few problem areas from the valve body, which we knew about a long time ago to the recently released updated center support (thanks Joey Campbell for the heads up).
Early on the 6F35n had valve wear issues. The main culprit is the solenoid regulator...

Winter has past and all eyes are looking toward the changing seasons, the days getting longer, and summertime adventures.
Your customers depend on you to take care of their vehicles so they don’t have worry about their cars when they’re away on a trip. Summer is fast approaching and your customers, just like you, are turning their eyes toward the open road for summer adventures.
Most fol...

Most transmission shops don’t have the facilities to cut open a converter to see what’s going on in there. There’s the odd occasion when you send a converter out to get it cut open so the whole shop can see what’s going on and perhaps understand the mystery of the converter clutch better, but that’s the exception; not the rule.
In this issue of Fun with Transmissions, we’re going t...

We’ve been talking a lot lately about the new, 9-speed offering from Chrysler: the 948TE. Back in the May, 2015 issue of GEARS Magazine, Mike Souza explained how the A and F dog clutches worked inside this unit.
In this edition of Fun with Transmissions, we’re going to check out how the A and F dog clutches are hydraulically controlled by the valve body and TCM.
As Mike explained, dog cl...